The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 107 farms for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with the Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by local Conservation Districts.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized:

• Aaron Schade Farms (Previously Daryl Sorensen Farms), of Scottville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Ackerman and Son, LLC, of Vassar, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Anthony Bees Farms, of Swartz Creek, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Armada Acres, of Armada, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Aunt Bea’s Place, of Addison, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• B.C. Hemp Co., of Sodus, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Back of the Moon Forest, of Felch, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Better View Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Blue Water Angus Farm, of Deckerville, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• BNM Farm, of Hubbard Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Bridget Moore Farms, of Sears, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Brown City Sod, Inc., of Brown City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Bruce Blonde Farm, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Buginsky Farms, of Owosso, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Burns Poultry Farms, Inc., of Millington, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• C. Ford Farms, of North Branch, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Camp Soreback, of Ishpeming, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Clover Grain Farms, of Rockford, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Cole Creek Farm, of Mesick, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Creswick Farms, of Ravenna, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Curt Visser Farm, of Conklin, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• D & L Wilkin Farm, of Britton, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Dan Russell Farmstead, of West Branch, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Daniel Gust Farm, of Ottawa Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Dave Brower Farms, of Brown City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Dave Miller Farm, of Owosso, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Dave Walsh Farms, Site 1, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Livestock System
• Ethan Dussel Farm, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Every Other Brother Club, LLC, of Wellston, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Fenner Farms, Inc., of Boon, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Ferry Farms, LLC, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
• Ferry Farms, LLC, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
• Fisher Tradition Farms, Inc. – Bagley Site, of Alma, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Fisher Tradition Farms, Inc. – Site 1, of Breckenridge, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Floating Bridge Farm, of Three Rivers, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Frego Farms, of Paw Paw, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn, Agricultural Museum, of Gagetown, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Gary Englund Homestead, of Rock, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Gasperich Camp, of Rock, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Golden River Orchard, of Cheboygan, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Gordon Valley Farms, of Saline, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Green Acres Farm, of Lachine, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Greiner Rainbow Acres, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Grifka Farms, Inc., of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Hang’em High Hops, of Freesoil, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Harry Gaiser Farm, of Bay City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Haskin Farms – Grain Bin, of Lake Odessa, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Hepker Farms, LLC, of Hillsdale, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Hoeve Farms, LLC, of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
• Indigo Farms, of Boyne City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• J. Leininger Farms, of Waldron, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• JCM Farms, of Imlay City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Jim Belcher Farm, of Tustin, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Joe Bower Farms (Previously Shamrock Farms), of Bark River, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Joe Woodruff Farm, of St. Johns, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• John A. Burk Farm, of Bay City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• John P. Burk Farm, of Bay City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Kauffman Farms, LLC – Home Farm, of Mendon, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Koeman Farms, LLC – Contract Finishers Inc., of Holland, as a verified farm in Livestock System
• Koeman Farms, LLC – Home Farm, of Hamilton, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• L.V. Farms, LLC, of Osseo, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
• Leda Ranch, of Edwardsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
• Lima Farm, of Chelsea, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• McCrackin Bros Farm, LLC, of Carson City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• McKown Farms, of Clayton, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Mischel’s Greenhouses, of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
• MSU – The North Farm at the Upper Peninsula Research & Extension Center, of Chatham, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• MSU – Upper Peninsula Research & Extension Center (South Farm), of Chatham, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Nate Gust Farm, of Ottawa Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Norman Walton & Sons, LLC, of Imlay City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Peacock Road Tree Farm, of Laingsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Perry McCrackin Farms, of Carson City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• PG Farm, of Camden, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Pickles Farms, of Sand Creek, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Pincik Farms, of Corunna, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Pleasant View Dairy, of Jonesville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Potato Lane Farm, of Rock, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Puckel Brush Forest, of Luther, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Pummell Farms, LLC, of Morenci, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Rabe Orchards, LLC, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Randy Vollmar Farms, of Cass City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
• Rolling Dice Meadows, of Branch, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Scott Thomas Farms, of Brown City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• SF Grain, Inc. (Previously Smuts Farms), of Charlotte, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Shady Side Farm, of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• Southwell Sugar Shack, of Mancelona, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Spruce Acres, of Hillsdale, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Starz Orchard, of Wallace, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Sweet Meadows Farm, of Alpena, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
• T.M. Klein & Sons, Inc., Site 1, of St. Charles, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• T.M. Klein & Sons, Inc., Site 2, of St. Charles, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Tawas Blueberry Farm (Previously Czaika’s Blueberry Farm), of Tawas City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• The Menagerie, of Corunna, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Todd Greiner Farms, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Tonkin’s Farm, of Fairgrove, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
• Tracy Sohn Farm and Forest, of North Branch, as a verified farm in Cropping, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
• Valley View Farm of Bangor, of Bangor, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• W. Farms, LLC, of Elsie, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Walter Otis Farms, of Coldwater, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
• Weathered Silos Farm, of Hanover, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
• Welden Farms, of Jonesville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
• Winn Heritage Farms, LLC, of Columbus, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
• Wolverine Lodge, of Felch, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
• Woodbine Farms, of Chelsea, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
• Yad Ezra’s Giving Gardens, of Berkley, as a verified farm in Cropping System

“Farmers across the state of Michigan understand how fortunate we are to be surrounded by fertile lands and abundant fresh water, and they are committed to protecting these amazing resources,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “Participation in the program increases year after year, and it has been used as a model by many other states. By earning MAEAP verification and putting that sign out front, they are letting their neighbors know that they are excellent stewards of their land so that it can be sustainable for future generations.”

MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation, and environmental groups, and state and federal agencies.  Michigan conservation districts house technicians that provide technical assistance to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification. An average of 5,000 Michigan farmers attend educational programs annually, 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification process and over 5,000 verifications have taken place to date.

To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action plan addressing potential environmental risk. MDARD conducts an on‑farm inspection to verify program requirements related to applicable state and federal environmental regulations, Michigan Right to Farm guidelines, and adherence to an action plan. When completed, the producer receives a certificate of environmental assurance. To remain a MAEAP verified farm, inspections must be conducted every five years and action steps must be followed.

MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources. The program encompasses four systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system – Livestock, Farmstead, Cropping, and Forest, Wetlands and Habitat – examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. By participating in all four systems, producers can comprehensively evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks.

For more information, visit the MAEAP website at https://www.maeap.org or contact Joe Kelpinski, MDARD’s MAEAP Program Manager, at (517)284-5608.

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